Today, legislation to allow independent prescribing by appropriately trained chiropodists / podiatrists and physiotherapists came into effect. This is the result of several years of work by the Department of Health, professional bodies, education providers and regulators, including the HCPC.
Chiropodists / podiatrists and physiotherapists will need to complete appropriate training and be marked or ‘annotated’ on our Register as independent prescribers before they can act as an independent prescriber. As independent prescribers, chiropodists / podiatrists and physiotherapists will be able to prescribe an appropriate medicine for their patient based on the patient’s clinical needs and within the legal framework.
In line with the new legislation, we have published new standards for prescribing today. The standards set out a robust framework for education providers delivering training in prescribing and also for the prescribers themselves. We will now start the process to approve education programmes delivering training in independent prescribing against these standards.
We asked a physiotherapist and a chiropodist / podiatrist what the change in legislation means for their service users and their practice.
Julie Read, physiotherapist working in a community specialist respiratory care team
“I can currently only prescribe medicines within a clinical management plan that is agreed and signed off by my designated medical practitioner and the patient’s GP practice. So being able to independently prescribe will mean I can now prescribe antibiotics, cortico-steroids and inhalers when needed by patents in a more timely and efficient way. Patients benefit from getting exacerbation medicines or new inhalers faster.
“Physiotherapy-led community respiratory services are a great step forward as it means the GP and consultants can be less involved in routine cases, which frees up their time for patients with more complex needs. Previously, the lack of independent prescribing was the barrier stopping this happening more frequently.”
Matthew Fitzpatrick, musculoskeletal specialist podiatrist
"As a podiatrist in the acute setting, I sometimes need to have the flexibility to respond to the clinical needs of patients, which was not always supported as well with previous medicines management options. Heavy reliance on medical staff, both locally and regionally, meant that there were delays in care that then affected the patient pathway.
“The benefit of independent prescribing for podiatrists working as part of the overall health care team is that we can provide the right care at the right time, delivered in the right place.
"Having this option as part of the patient's pathway will mean I am able, where necessary, to positively impact the patient’s outcome as well as relieve pressure on other health care providers. Being able to implement this within the appropriate settings and with appropriate support will certainly revolutionise the way in which my colleagues and I will deliver care to our patients."
Will you be taking advantage of the opportunity to train as an independent prescriber once the programmes have been approved? How will the ability to train as an independent prescriber affect your own practice? Leave us a comment below.
If you have any questions about the new independent prescribing standards, contact us at policy@hcpc-uk.org
Charlotte Urwin
Policy Manager, HCPC
"As a podiatrist in the acute setting, I sometimes need to have the flexibility to respond to the clinical needs of patients, which was not always supported as well with previous medicines management options. Heavy reliance on medical staff, both locally and regionally, meant that there were delays in care that then affected the patient pathway.